Maximum Security Delivers Steady Breeze at Palm Meadows

In one of the more unconventional approaches to preparing for the Kentucky Derby (G1), Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner Maximum Security completed his serious work April 29 with an easy breeze at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida.

Gary and Mary West's Maximum Security completed Monday's four-furlong breeze in :53 4/5, which, of course, was the slowest of six moves at the distance. Trainer Jason Servis said the work actually was a steady, slow mile breeze. Servis has opted for three slow breezes for undefeated Maximum Security since his 3 1/2-length win in the March 30 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, where he led at every point of call.

"He went a mile in 1:58 and came home, I want to say, in :25 (seconds) for the last quarter," Servis said. "He galloped out a mile and an eighth in 2:12 and cooled out good. All systems are 'Go.'"

Servis said the assigned clocking of :53 4/5 for a half-mile was only for the final portion of the breeze.

"They're getting the last (half-mile) when the horse is breezing a slow mile," Servis said. "That's something that probably needs to be addressed at some point."

Before Monday's breeze, the listed works for Maximum Security since the Florida Derby include a three-furlong breeze in :42 April 21 and a half-mile breeze in :54.85 April 13, both at Palm Meadows.

The controlled works have been the norm for Maximum Security, who prepped for the Florida Derby—the New Year's Day colt's stakes debut—with a single half-mile move in :52.95 March 22. That breeze followed Maximum Security's Feb. 20 win in a starter-optional claiming race at Gulfstream.

Servis said he understands the need for half-mile workouts and breezes out of the starting gate for a young horse but is more comfortable with the longer open gallops as horses develop.

"I think it was after his second race that I took him off the rail so to speak and started doing the open miles," Servis said. "It's just a maintaining thing, trying to avoid injuries that would set us back. Maybe in a fast breeze there is more risk than what I'm doing."